Hold Out
WordNet
verb
(1) Thrust or extend out
"He held out his hand"
"Point a finger"
"Extend a hand"
"The bee exserted its sting"
(2) Stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something
(3) Continue to live; endure or last
"We went without water and food for 3 days"
"These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America"
"The race car driver lived through several very serious accidents"
"How long can a person last without food and water?"
(4) Wait uncompromisingly for something desirable
"He held out for the dessert and did not touch the cheeses"
(5) Last and be usable
"This dress wore well for almost ten years"
WiktionaryText
Verb
hold out
- To hold something out; to extend forward
- Hold out your hand.
- To wait, or refuse in hopes of getting something better (from a negotiation, etc.)
- I am holding out for more money.
- To survive, endure
- How long can they hold out without water?
- To keep a secret; withhold information (often hold out on)
- I didn't know you could do that. Have you been holding out on me?
- To set something aside or save it for later
- Pack the boxes, but hold out a few blue ones for later.
Noun
hold-out, holdout
- One who waits or refuses; one who holds out
- Most of the employees signed the new contract, but there are still a few holdouts.